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CHAP. XXVII. Of the Sacraments.

ACRAMENTS are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him; as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his word e.

II. There is in every sacrament a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other f.

-I. a Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Ver. 10. [See below in letter f.]

b Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread.

c 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. xi. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup,when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized

into Christ, have put on Christ. Gal. iii. 17. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

d Rom. xv. 8. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the cir cumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. Exod. xii. 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it ; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Gen. xxxiv. 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.

e Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Ver. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christwas raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1 Cor. x. 16. [See in letter c.] Ver, 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

11. ƒ Gen. xvii. 10. This is my co

III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it, but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution; which contains, together with a precept authorising the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers i.

IV. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord; neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the word, lawfully ordained *.

V. The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New '.

venant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee; Every man-child among you shall be circumcised. Matt. xxvi. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: Ver. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Tit. i. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

III. g Rom. ii. 28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: Ver. 29. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. 1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto, even bap. tism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

b Matt. iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all bap

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IV. Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. xi. 20. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. Ver. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

V. 1 Cor. x. 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; Ver. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea; Ver. 3. And did all eat the

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CHAP. XXVIII. Of Baptism.

dained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world .

II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereuntoi.

III. Dipping of the person

same spiritual meat; Ver. 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ.)

I. a Matt. xxviii. 19. [See letter k of the foregoing Chapter.]

1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

c Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. With Col. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

d Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Rom. vi. 5. For if we ave been planted together in the like

into the water is not neces

ness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

e Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

f Mark i. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

g Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Ver. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

b Matt. xxviii. 19. [See in letter k, foregoing Chapter.] Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

II. i Matt. iii. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. John i. 33. And I knew him not: but he

sary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person *.

IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ', but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized ".

that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. Matt. xxviii. 19. [See in letter k, foregoing Chapter.] Ver. 20. [See in letter h.]

III. Heb. ix. 10, 19, 20, 21, 22. Acts ii. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts xvi. 33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Mark vii. 4. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.

IV. / Mark xvi. 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Acts viii. 57. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Ver. 38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he bap

tized him.

m Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Ver. 9. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee, in their generations.

With Gal. iii. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And Col. ii. 11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ: Ver. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: Ver. 12. 'And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, bap. tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Mark x. 13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch

V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance ", yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated P.

VI. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed time".

VII. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.

them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. Ver. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Ver. 15. Verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Ver. 16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

V. n Luke vii. 30. But the Phari. sees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. With Exod. iv. 24. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. Ver. 25. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Ver. 26. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

o Rom. iv. 11. [See in letter m.] Acts x. 2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47.

p Acts viii. 13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and

signs which were done. Ver. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

VI. q John iii. 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Ver. 8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

r Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. v. 25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ver.. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

VII. Tit. iii. 5. [See in letter r.]

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